The guidance is silent on whether station alerting systems and station backup generators be considered costs directly related to the daily operation of the fire department and thus eligible. Are these items eligible?
We expect these stations to be fully functional. But, we're not going to build palaces just to be building palaces. If an item is nice to have, but not relevant to NFPA, we may not fund it without specific justification.
Top

We will pay for paving and fencing, but landscaping is listed specifically as ineligible. Landscaping is often required as a condition for obtaining a permit, so why is it not eligible?
Paving is directly related to the operation of the new building, thus eligible. However, the paving will be limited to operational functions and staff parking, but will not include large areas for community purposes. For projects that don't involve new construction, we will not re-pave paved areas unless such an activity was fully justified in the application as critical to the implementation of the project. Pavement damaged during construction or renovation can be repaired and charged to the grant. Fencing and landscaping is not eligible.
Top

Station signage, station flagpole, station traffic control systems – are they eligible expenses? They may be required by code and considered non-operational items, but what is a fire station without a flagpole?
Like fencing, a flagpole is not operational, thus would not be eligible.
Top

Are hose towers an eligible expense for the SCG?
Yes, they are considered to be contributory to the departmental operations.
Top

Can the fire department construction funding be used to build a fire department building large enough to house a police department as well?
The cost for space for any activities not directly related to the daily operation of the fire department – such as community meeting space, ballrooms administrative support, or other governmental functions, such as police or emergency management annexes – are not eligible for Federal funding from the SCG Grants. These types of amenities, facilities, or functions may be included in the overall design and construction of the station project, but the costs would not be eligible for Federal reimbursement. Eligible costs will be limited to the cost of the operational space for the fire department. The cost for the non-operational space will be assessed, quantified and removed from the overall project’s costs. The cost of the non-operational space will be based on square footage of the identified ineligible space compared to the overall project square footage of the structure.
Top

If the Department has identified a site to build a new fire station, but the site is located in a flood plain, can the department take steps to mitigate the flooding issue by raising the level of the property to keep the building above the flood level?
With regard to protection of wetlands and floodplain management, DHS will not support development or new construction or substantial renovation in wetlands, designated floodways or velocity zones. Fire stations can be newly constructed or undergo substantial renovation in flood plain areas, provided that the clearance process steps of Executive Order 11988 is followed (e.g., no other reasonable alternative location exists) and provided that all appropriate flood plain management requirements of National Flood Insurance Program participation are followed. This would include protection of the new construction or substantial renovation. Fire stations are considered critical facilities for flood plain management purposes. Therefore, new construction or major renovations must be protected to the 500 year flood level. DHS will take the location of the modification and/or new construction into account when evaluating the viability of any project.
Top

If a grantee previously started a construction project but had to halt construction because of bankruptcy or they lost funding for another reason, couldn’t they just apply to finish the project under the 'renovation' priority?
No, because the Program Office would not be able to perform a proper environmental assessment. For a project to be considered eligible for renovation, it is a requirement that the structure was occupied prior to the proposed renovation. In these cases, the Program Office may require the applicant to provide a certificate of occupancy before the building can be considered eligible under the renovation activity.
Top

Under new construction and remodeling existing stations, are vehicle exhaust systems required?
If you indicated in your application that you would build your station to be in compliance with NFPA 1500, then you are required to comply. Exhaust systems, smoke-alarm systems and sprinklers are required to comply with NFPA 1500. But, vehicle-mounted exhaust systems are ineligible.
Top

Are the environmental assessments paid for by FEMA or by the grantee?
Expenses to comply with EHP requirements are an eligible cost under the SCG program.
Top

Will the SCG allow for the purchase of an existing building and the renovation of it for a fire station?
Your department or municipality may purchase the existing building and use the grant funds to convert the structure into a fire station, but you may not use the grant funds to purchase real estate.
Top

Are things such as land clearance, driveways, well and septic eligible expenses under the SCG? We also need water holding tank and a fuel tank. Are those items eligible?
All of the items you listed are eligible except the Fuel tank. The environmental implications and clearances required for such a feature would severely delay the project. Therefore, we would be unwilling to fund such a feature.
Top

We want to renovate our volunteer department building to provide sleeping quarters. Is this eligible for funding under the SCG?
Providing sleeping quarters for any department translates into an opportunity to cut response times. Cutting response times to comply with NFPA 1710 and NFPA 1720 is a high priority for the SCG.
Top

What if a fire department shares a facility with a police department? Is that space considered eligible for a renovation?
If a station has multiple disciplines (e.g., law enforcement and fire), the space that is dedicated to law enforcement is not eligible, and the cost for common space between the two disciplines would be pro-rated.
Top

The Program Guidance lists EMS organizations as ineligible. How does this affect departments that share facilities with Emergency Medical Service departments? How does this affect departments that offer Emergency Medical Services through the fire department?
If a fire department provides EMS services as well as fire suppression, then the space dedicated to EMS is eligible. However, if the EMS organization is a separate entity, i.e., is not part of the fire department, then the space dedicated to EMS is ineligible – such space can be a part of the project, but not chargeable to the grant.
Top

The Program Guidance lists Emergency Operations Centers as ineligible. Does this include training rooms that are also intended to function as Emergency Operations Centers?
The Program Office believes training is critical, thus we encourage fire departments to include space for training in the design of their modification or new construction. However, the eligible training space is limited to 600 square feet. To the extent that the training space can be used for alternate operational uses is good.
Top

The Program Guidance includes “administrative support” as an ineligible item. What is considered as Administrative Support? Does this include the fire chief and other staff offices, building inspection departments supervised by the fire department and fire safety education offices and functions?
The administrative costs listed under "Other Allowable Costs" are relative to the administration, documentation, and record-keeping required for the grant. Regarding space, we recognize that for any organization or business there is a need to allow space for management and/or command. We will not dictate how much space or how little space is necessary or allowable. However, as with ALL space proposed for the new station, the command space should be justified in the application.
Top

What is considered operational space only?
Space that directly contributes to the operations of the department.
Top

If the structure was built after 2003, according to existing construction rules for modifications or renovations, will the project be eligible?
Under AFG, structures constructed after 2003 are not eligible for modification funding. There is no such restriction under SCG. However, such applicants will have a more difficult task of justifying a project that will include facility enhancements that should have been included in the original construction.
Top

Regarding property ownership, can our department construct a facility on land endowed to the grantee? What if we are in the process of securing the land at the time of application?
If your department does not own the land where you are proposing to build your station, you may still apply for the SCG. This may provide you with the opportunity to secure the land. If a panel of your peers deems that your project is worth funding despite the fact that you don't own the land at the time of application, DHS will assess your ownership arrangements during technical review to determine if your project is worth funding. For example, if you only have three years left on a lease, it may be that DHS will not deem it feasible to fund your project. If, however, you have 98 years left on a 99-year lease, DHS may determine that the project is worthy of funding.
Top